An Oregon father has sparked a heated debate by expressing outrage over a state-issued survey aimed at sixth-grade students about their sexual orientation and gender identity. Chuck Gonzales, the father, revealed that his 11-year-old son, Maxwell, was scheduled to take the survey as part of a broader initiative by the Oregon Health Authority to gather data on students’ health and well-being. The survey, however, raised significant concerns for Gonzales, who argued that it was an invasive intrusion into the private lives of children, particularly at such a young age.
According to Gonzales, the survey contains questions that ask students to identify their sexual orientation, gender identity, and whether they are transgender. The multiple-choice options included terms such as ‘demigirl,’ ‘demiboy,’ ‘nonbinary,’ and ‘genderfluid,’ which the father found confusing and inappropriate for his son. ‘It is infuriating that the government, the state of Oregon, and these liberal progressives down in Salem can think that they can go into the bedrooms of our children and ask them about things they have no clue about,’ Gonzales stated in an interview, expressing his deep frustration with the survey’s content.
Other parents have echoed Gonzales’s concerns, with many feeling that the survey was not adequately communicated or explained. Some even dismissed the survey as a fabrication, only to be surprised when it was confirmed to be real. Gonzales emphasized that he believed the survey was a direct affront to parental rights, asserting that the state had no right to impose such questions on children without the consent of their guardians. ‘They have no right to step on the values that we have as Christians,’ he stated, highlighting the religious and moral implications he perceives in the survey’s design.
In response to the controversy, the Hillsboro School District issued a statement indicating that every parent had received advance information about the survey through the ParentSquare communication system and via a hard copy sent home with students. The district also noted that the school received a signed opt-out form for Maxwell and that he did not participate in the survey. Despite the district’s efforts to ensure transparency, many parents remain skeptical and concerned about the potential impact of such surveys on children’s well-being and privacy.
The controversy has sparked broader discussions about the role of government in shaping children’s identities and the extent of parental rights in educational settings. As debates continue, the incident highlights the growing tensions between progressive policies and traditional values, particularly in the context of school curricula and student life. Parents and educators are now facing the challenge of navigating these complex issues while ensuring the best interests of students are protected.